Focused on the underlying logic behind social research, Methodological Thinking: Basic Principles of Social Research Design encourages readers to understand research methods as a way of thinking. The book provides a concise overview of the basic principles of social research, including the characteristics of research questions, the importance of literature reviews, variations in data generation techniques, and sampling. The Second Edition includes a revised chapter on research foundations, with focus on the philosophy of science and ethics; an emphasis on critical thinking; additional attention to evaluating research; and a new selection of briefer, multidisciplinary journal articles designed to be accessible to a wide variety of readers.
1. Exploring the World of Social Research Design
Defining Social Research
The Study of Social Research Design
Evaluating Social Research
Methodological Thinking
Studying Research Design as Methodological Thinking
Methods in Theory and in Practice
2. Foundations
Foundation I: Data, Concepts, and Theory
Foundation II: The Logic of Relationships Between Data and Concepts/Theory
Foundation III: Philosophies of Science
The Qualitative Versus Quantitative Debate
Foundations and Research Design
3. Research Questions
Characteristics of Appropriate Research Questions
Identifying Research Questions in Published Research
Creating Research Questions
Thinking Ahead: Developing Questions That Will Be Ethical and Practical to Study
Revising Research Questions
Evaluating Research Questions
Research Questions and Research Design
4. Literature Reviews
Defining "The Literature"
Existing Knowledge as Tools for Research Design
Defining the Relevant Literature
Thinking About the Review Task
The Contents and Form of Literature Reviews
Evaluating Literature Reviews
Literature Reviews and Research Design
Examples of Social Research Article Databases
5. Measurement
Conceptualization and Conceptual Definitions
Operationalization and Operational Definitions
Conceptualization and Operationalization in Research Led by Inductive Reasoning
Measurement Problems in Social Research
Evaluating Measurement
Measurement and Research Design
6. Data Generation Techniques
Research Questions and Data
Data Generation Techniques
Planning Ahead
Data Generation Techniques and Research Design
7. Samples
Populations and Samples in Social Research
The Importance of Samples in Social Research
Probability Samples
Non-probability Samples
Evaluating Samples in Published Research
Samples and Research Design
8. Summary: Thinking About Social Research Design
Foundations of Research Design and Evaluation: Methodological Thinking
Evaluating Research Design: Variations
Assessing Research Quality
Characteristics of High-Quality Reports of Research Design
Ending and Beginnings
Appendix: Suggestions for Further Reading
Appendix: Articles Used as Examples
